The spin-off hasn’t been fully greenlit yet, but fans will get a glimpse of it in Season 6.
In February 2024, as Virgin River began production on its sixth season, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith announced he was developing a spin-off centered around the love story of Mel’s parents, Everett and Sarah. Initially, Smith was the sole writer for the pilot. If approved for a full series, he would be joined by Erin Cardillo, Richard Keith, and other writers from Virgin River.
On September 23, 2024, Deadline reported that Jessica Rothe and Callum Kerr have been cast as Sarah and Everett in flashbacks, which will appear in the second episode of the upcoming sixth season. It remains unclear whether these flashbacks will be limited to that episode or will extend throughout the season.
Since the initial announcement, there hasn’t been any new information regarding the pilot being greenlit or filmed. It’s likely that Netflix will assess viewer reactions after Season 6 airs before making any decisions about the spin-off. The logline for the couple’s story describes Sarah as “a witty, free spirit from the big city with a passion for activism, trying to avoid the conventional life of a young woman in the ’70s,” while Everett is portrayed as a singer-songwriter living life in a VW Van, whose chance encounter with Sarah may lead to a profound connection.
Insights from Virgin River Season 5
In Season 5, we learned that after the tragic loss of their second daughter, Chloe, Sarah and her husband grew distant. Sarah eventually met Everett, and they fell in love, maintaining correspondence until she discovered she was pregnant with Mel. While Everett wanted to be part of their daughter’s life, Sarah chose to keep her family together and cut off contact. Episode 10 reveals that their letters were written 37 years prior, hinting at a significant age gap between Mel and Joey.
From what we know, it’s likely that Sarah met Everett in the early 1970s, later marrying Joey’s father. After losing Chloe, she rekindled her romance with Everett, leading to Mel’s birth. This backstory may help address potential concerns about infidelity in their love story, which could be problematic for many viewers.
The Sarah and Everett Spin-Off: A Smart Move or Not?
While Robyn Carr has penned over 20 books in the Virgin River universe, there has never been a novel focused on Sarah and Everett’s relationship. The idea of Mel discovering her biological father, who lives in Virgin River, originated with Patrick Sean Smith and the new writing team after the departure of creator Sue Tenney and most of her team at the end of Season 4.
Developing a spin-off set in the 1970s allows Smith to forge a new path, free from the original storylines created by Tenney. This strategy could attract fans of the original series while reaching new audiences.
However, the question remains: do viewers need a spin-off focused on Mel’s parents, especially when we’re still building a connection with them after six seasons?
If Netflix were to greenlight a prequel spin-off, it might be more compelling to explore the origins of Virgin River and delve into the younger versions of beloved characters, such as the romance between Hope and Doc, rather than focusing on two characters we’ve only just begun to meet.
